Why Private Investigators Have an Advantage Over Police
For months, the family of 5-year-old Lucas Hernandez wondered if they would ever have answers in his mysterious disappearance. On the day he disappeared, he was left in the care of his father’s girlfriend, Emily Glass. In the missing persons report, Glass told investigators on February 17th, 2018, she saw Lucas playing in his room around three in the afternoon. She then took a shower and fell asleep. When she awoke around six in the evening, Lucas was nowhere to be found.
Law enforcement in Wichita investigated for months, unearthing no credible leads into Lucas’ disappearance. Months later, on May 24th, locals were shocked after a private investigator blew the case wide open by informing law enforcement Emily Glass had led them to the decomposing remains of little Lucas under a nearby bridge. Why would Glass, after dealing with law enforcement for months, only then break her silence regarding her knowledge of the little boy’s body? The answer is as simple as this: Private investigators have advantages law enforcement do not when it comes to conducting concurrent independent investigations in criminal and missing persons cases.
So how is a private investigator’s approach different from the approach of a local, state, or federal law enforcement agency? The first thing to consider is the caseload of most law enforcement agencies. From the moment an initial report is made, in both criminal and missing persons cases, law enforcement have the meticulous and overwhelming task of gathering evidence to build a case that will secure justice on behalf of the victims and the state. Crime scenes need to be mined for evidence by medical examiners and crime scene technicians. Detectives and other investigators need to canvass witnesses—sometimes dozens of people—in the area who might have seen or heard something. Now imagine the workload of one case multiplied by 40 or 50 times. An audit conducted in Portland Oregon in 2007 reviewed law enforcement data from Portland itself, and nine other surrounding cities, to conclude the average caseload for a detective in Portland was a median of 54. This is compared to a 5-year average of 56 cases. Knowing statistics like these are similar in law enforcement agencies all across the country, it’s easy to see how the progress of cases might slow to a crawl. Agencies are overwhelmed, and this is where private investigators have the advantage. Private investigators may only handle one or two cases at a time, giving them their full focus and attention. Wichita law enforcement might have faced similar challenges of an overwhelming caseload when it came to investigating Lucas Hernandez’s disappearance. An article released by the Wichita Eagle in mid-December of 2017 revealed, as of publication, there were still ten homicides from the year 2017 remaining unsolved as the new year approached.
Another compelling advantage for private investigators might initially sound like a disadvantage: Private investigators have no powers of arrest. It seems counter-intuitive that a private investigator may use the same tools as law enforcement, ask the same questions, and may even come to the same conclusion as law enforcement without the ability to arrest a suspect for the crime. However, the case of Hernandez showcased exactly why a private investigator—and their inability to arrest—broke the case wide open. Jim Murray of Star Investigations told KMBC News in Kansas, “We’re less of a threat sometimes to people that we’re talking to because we have no powers of arrest,” said Jim. “We can’t arrest them.” This could explain why Emily Glass finally led a private investigator to Lucas’s body, because she knew they could not put handcuffs on her in that moment.
Unfortunately, family members and locals will never have the truth about what happened to Lucas. In the wake of the private investigator’s discovery, autopsy reports were found to be inconsistent with what Glass told both police and the PI, but before the People could build a case against her, Glass was found dead from an apparent suicide. However, were it not for the efforts of the private investigator, Lucas’s father may never have had answers in his son’s disappearance.
Carie McMichael is the Communications and Media Specialist for Lauth Investigations International, writing about investigative topics such as missing persons and corporate investigations. To learn more about what we do, please visit our website.
By: Kym Pasqualini, Feature Crime Writer for Lauth Investigations
On February 13, 2017, best friends Abigail “Abby” Williams, 13, and Liberty “Libby” German, 14, planned to go hiking near the beautiful area of Monon High Bridge Trail, east of their small town of Delphi, Indiana.
Libby German and Abby Williams, Best Friends
At approximately 1:45 p.m. that afternoon, a family member dropped them off at the abandoned bridge where they planned to hike. It was agreed they would meet their family back in the same location later in the afternoon. They both had the day off school, it was an unseasonably warm winter day, and Abby Abby and Libby shared a special friendship. They both loved hiking, taking photographs of flowers and trees, and adventuring the scenic trails about a mile east of their home.
Libby posted, this now haunting photo, while atop Indiana’s second highest bridge on her Snapchat at 2: 07 p.m. This was the last post anyone would see the two girls alive.
Photograph Libby posted on Snapchat of Abby walking on the Monon High Bridge, Dephi, IN.
When the girls did not show up at the agreed upon the location as planned, the family reported the girls missing to Delphi Police Department and the local sheriff. Immediately police and firefighters were dispatched to canvas the area.
Over 100 searchers responded to the area. Arial searches began utilizing the remaining daylight hours. Later the same evening, authorities began trying to “ping” the girl’s phones, with no success. The sheriff stated he felt the girl’s phones were either turned off or the batteries had gone dead.
Police searching for Abby and Libby in the area surrounding Monon High Bridge and Deer Creek trails.
At approximately midnight, the search was called off, though volunteers continued searching throughout the night. The search resumed the following morning along Deer Creek and farther out from the trail. Searchers prayed the girls had simply been lost but soon those hopes were dashed. Approximately one mile from where the two young girls vanished, searchers found two bodies on a piece of private property along Deer Creek, north of the bridge.
February 14, 2017, at approximately 1:50 p.m., Sheriff Leazenby, Delphi Police Chief Steve Mullins and Indiana State Police (ISP) representative Kim Riley held a joint press conference to announce two bodies were found during the search for Abby and Libby, stating the bodies had yet to be identified.
February 15, 2017, 2:33 p.m., authorities held another press conference and announced the bodies had been identified as Liberty German and Abigail Williams.
A community was heartbroken. Children were terrified, and parents held their children closer.
Haunting Images and Audio Found on Libby’s Phone
At the February 15th news conference, ISP proceeded to release a photo of an unidentified man walking along the Delphi Historic Trail found on the girl’s phone. Authorities announced they wanted to speak to anyone who had parked in the nearby lot or anywhere around the trail the day the girls had visited the park.
FBI names individual in photograph suspect in murder of Delphi girls.
Five months into the investigation, ISP released a composite sketch of the man on the bridge hoping someone may recognize him and make a call.
Chilling audio of the killer’s voice Libby captured on her phone was also released generating thousands of leads.
In an Indy Channel report, “Delphi Investigation: Why state police say Libby and Abby’s case isn’t cold,” Indiana State Police Superintendent Doug Carter says, “There’s a person out there that knows who did it. Not a hunch. They know who that person is,” said Carter. “They know that voice and they know those clothes. They know that posture. They know that stance and they know who murdered those two little girls in that quiet place.”
March 1, 2017, former Indianapolis Colts punter Pat McAfee and team owner Jim Irsay donate $97,000 to the reward fund. The reward is now $230,000 for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of the individual who murdered Abby and Libby.
In an ABC RTV6 report, “Delphi, Indiana: FBI seeks tips on behavioral changes to help catch Delphi killer,” the FBI makes a plea to the public to think back to Monday, February 13th, the day the Delphi teens went missing asking questions like, “Did someone you know make an excuse for missing an appointment?”
“Just think if you had an interaction with an individual who inexplicably canceled an appointment that you had together,” said Greg Massa of the FBI. “Or an individual called into work sick and canceled a social engagement. At the time, they gave what you thought would have been a plausible explanation. ‘My cell phone broke’ or ‘I had a flat tire on my car.’ In retrospect, (that) excuse no longer holds water,” Massa added.
Other behaviors might now be considered suspicious. It is often a seemingly inconsequential detail someone calls in that can break a case wide open.
“Did an individual travel unexpectedly?” Massa said. “Did they change their appearance? Did they shave their beard, cut their hair or change the color of their hair? Did they change the way they dress?”
Even behavioral changes occurring shortly after February 13, 2017:
Someone who developed a different sleep pattern
Started abusing drugs or alcohol
Has become anxious or irritable
Someone who has followed this case to an extreme
A person who has ongoing conversations about where they were February 13th
Someone who has visited the location where the girls were murdered
Someone who has taken photographs around the trail and bridge
Police say don’t ever feel bad about reporting odd behavior. It could have everything to do with finding justice for two little girls brutally murdered. It could save other children from a similar and tragic outcome. In addition, if the person is innocent, it will only take a couple minutes of their time and they will never know you were the one who made the report.
A Person of Interest Dismissed
Johnson County Sheriff’s Office sent officers to Colorado to retrieve a “person of interest” in the murders of Abby and Libby.
Daniel Nations had been arrested in Colorado for threatening hikers with a hatchet on a Colorado trail. Investigators traveled to Colorado to question Nations.
Nations was wanted on an outstanding warrant in Johnson County, Indiana for failing to register as a sex offender so authorities brought him back for further questioning in the Delphi murders.
Police have not formally named Nations as a suspect stating they have no information specifically including or excluding Nations in the killings. However, ISP has since said they are no longer actively investigating Nations as a person of interest in the case.
Memories Keep the Families Going
In “Delphi Daughters: The Untold Story of Abby and Libby”, a News 6 report, Mike Patty Libby’s grandfather states, “They didn’t leave each other’s side,” about the afternoon the two girls vanished. “I don’t know what happened out there that day, whether there was a chance or an opportunity for one to break off or split, or make a break for it or whatever but you know, I look at it as two young soldiers who covered each other’s backs, two best friends, I wouldn’t leave my best friend’s side. Neither did they.”
They both loved music. Both played the Alto Saxophone in their middle school band. They loved photography and painting, and both were signed up to play softball.
Life has changed for both families. Libby is remembered as the “baker” of the family. She loved making chocolate chips cookies. Becky Patty, Libby’s grandmother said, “She was a baker. She could throw a batch of cookies together like no other.”
Libby loved using sticky notes. She would leave sticky notes on her grandmother’s car visor. One read, “I love you! Thank you for everything you do for me and Kelsie – Libby.” She would leave sticky notes all over the house, even giving her teachers sticky notes, and always showing her appreciation for everyone around her.
Libby German and best friend Abby Williams, loved and remembered by all who knew them.
In the aftermath of her murder, Libby’s class presented her grandparents with jars filled with “sticky note” messages from each child. A way of dealing with the loss for her classmates, and a reminder of how much she is missed.
Libby had dreamed of becoming a science teacher and loved finding cures and solving crimes, so much so, she took additional classes at Purdue University.
Like Libby, Arika Gibson, a friend of the pair said, “Abby also dreamed of doing something within forensics and police work.” For two amateur sleuths, clearly, the evidence the girls left on their cell phones was clues to their own murders.
Abby Williams’ grandparents, whom she called Mee-maw and Papaw, keep her belongings right where they were the day she disappeared. “We just can’t erase her from our lives, we just don’t want to.” She added, “We treasure her coat hanging on the coat hook, her shoes on the shoe rack and her bedroom just the way she left it – she may have walked out the door, but she is here with us,” said Diane Erskin, Abby’s grandmother. With tears in Abby’s mother’s eyes, Anna Williams added, “Abby smiled all the time.” Her voice to a whisper, “All the time.”
Abby’s favorite thing to say was, “Is there anything I can do to help?” Always with a joyful spirit. Anna and her daughter Abby both shared a love of photography. She loved arts and crafts even knitting hat for newborns with her Aunt Maggie. She was especially good at volleyball and had planned on starting softball with Libby in the new year. Her grandfather Cliff was so excited he drove down from Michigan to take Abby out shopping to buy all new gear.
Investigation Continues at God Speed
The search for a killer has reached national proportions. Approximately 6,000 electronic billboards in 46 states have been utilized to solicit information from the public.
Billboards with information about the Delphi murders have been placed throughout the country.
A year later, investigators have received over 30,000 tips and interviewed thousands of potential suspects.
ISP, FBI, Carroll County Sheriff and the Delphi Police Department still follow up leads and vow to solve this murder case.
Investigators have a motto, “Today is the day,” and each day at the department, the day starts out with a prayer. “As we gather together today for our work we have been assigned to, let’s pray,” as each investigator bows their head.
“Today’s the day, today is the day we are going to get closer to the end, today is the day we are going to get closer to getting justice for Abby and Libby,” said ISP First Sergeant Jerry Holeman. “We have all worked tragic cases. Nothing like this. I can’t put anything close to this case.”
Police continue to work 20 hours days, with sleepless nights, with one goal in mind. A team of hundreds of investigators continue to work the case, tracking down thousands of leads. Holeman admits it has been rough on everyone involved. Investigations can become a roller coaster ride with hopeful leads and dashed hopes when those leads are eliminated. When it gets tough, Holeman goes back to the saying, “Today is the day.”
Indiana State Police Sgt. Holeman interviewed by Alexis McAdams. Photo courtesy Alexis McAdams TV.
“I need to be here for Abby and Libby,” says Holeman, “Because I am going to find who did this and we are going to hold them responsible for their actions.”
When Anna Williams was asked what justice will look like for her, “Justice will be that deep breath we get to take when my friend’s children are sleeping in their beds again. When people don’t worry about their children playing outside.” Williams continued, “Justice is in law enforcement. We believe in law enforcement. We believe in the FBI and everyone else that has worked on this case. That’s where justice will come from.”
Unsolved homicide posters still hang in local company’s windows. The community stands united behind Libby and Abby’s families and law enforcement still working the case.
Source: Facebook Light Up for Abby and Libby.
Orange bulbs light up the entire town of Delphi. The community has committed to ensuring the golden glow lights the town until the killer of Abby and Libby is caught and brought to justice.
If you have any information about the murders of Abby Williams and Libby German, please call 844-459-5786 or ABBYANDLIBBYTIP@CACOSHRF.COM.
Canadian Pharma Billionaire and Wife Murders Unsolved
Family Hires Team of Private Investigators
“Big Pharma Tycoon” Dr. Barry Sherman, Ph.D., 75, and his wife Honey, 70, were found dead in their Toronto, Canada home on December 15, 2017.
Media initially reported their deaths as a “murder-suicide,” but Sherman’s children all emphatically disagree with the initial police assessment.
Dr. Barry Sherman and his wife Honey
Apotex Pharmaceutical Holdings, Inc. is Canada’s largest maker of generic drugs, earning the Shermans a fortune estimated at $4.7 billion, placing Barry Sherman as the 12th wealthiest person in Canada, according to Forbes Magazine.
Apotex was founded by Sherman in 1974 and grew from a two-person operation to employing over 11,000 people. The company sells approximately 300 generic drugs within 120 countries.
Dr. Sherman had a Ph.D. in astrophysics from MIT and had formerly been the Chairman of former Cangene Corp., a Canadian biotechnology firm specializing in hyper immunes, contract manufacturing, biopharmaceuticals, and biodefense. It has been reported the company had several bioterrorism contracts with the United States before the company sold in 2014.
Honey Sherman had been active in service to the community and had been awarded a “Community Service Award” from Canadian senator Linda Frum.
“I am gutted by the loss of Honey and Barry Sherman. Our community is steeped in grief. I am heartbroken,” Frum posted on Twitter.
Sherman 12,440 square foot mansion in North York, Toronto
Described as “incredible philanthropists” and beloved members of Canada’s Jewish community, their deaths have shocked their neighborhood of North York, along with medical and political circles throughout the world.
Sherman’s Children Issue Press Release
Sherman’s four children say a murder-suicide made absolutely no sense and proceeded to issue a statement.
“Our parents shared an enthusiasm for life and commitment to their family and community. This is totally inconsistent with the rumors regrettably circulating in the media as to the circumstances surrounding their deaths,” the statement read.
“We are shocked and think it irresponsible that police sources have reportedly advised the media of a theory which neither their family, their friends nor their colleagues believe to be true,” the Sherman children said in the statement. “We urge the Toronto Police Service to conduct a thorough, intensive, and objective criminal investigation, and urge the media to refrain from further reporting as to the cause of these tragic deaths until the investigation is completed.”
Body being removed from Sherman’s Toronto home
The full story of what happened is not known but according to sources in various reports, the last time the couple was heard from was the evening of December 13th. They both arrived at their Old Colony neighborhood residence in two cars Wednesday evening after meeting with an architect for a home they were planning to build in Forest Hill, about a 20-mile drive south.
Barry, a self-admitted “workaholic”, didn’t show up at his office the following day but this didn’t cause immediate concern. The couple were found deceased in the downstairs indoor pool area of their home tied to a sturdy railing with two men’s leather belts, each around their necks. It is said they still had their winter coats and boots on.
A murder-suicide just didn’t correspond with their activities or mindset prior to their deaths. They were building a new home and celebrating the birth of a new grandchild. They were planning a wedding and booked airline tickets to fly to Florida for the holidays. Barry was about to become a member of the Order of Canada, an honor he valued.
Family Hires Criminal Lawyer and Private Investigators
Powerful criminal attorney, Brian Greenspan, has disapproved of the police handling of the investigation, demanding a second autopsy. The autopsy was conducted by a forensic pathologist on December 20, 2017, producing shocking results.
The forensic pathologist and former Toronto homicide detective found markings on the victim’s wrists consistent with being tied with a cord or plastic zip ties. However, when the bodies were found their wrists were not tied and no cords or rope were found at the scene.
The forensic pathologist also conducted a toxicology report, concluding no signs of drug use.
The Shermans were buried on December 21, 2017.
Greenspan has hired a private investigation team, including former homicide detectives, to ensure “no stone is left unturned” and work alongside police.
The team has concluded the couple had been strangled to death with two men’s leather belts around their necks and attached to the sturdy bar.
Police Theory Debunked
The Sherman’s real estate agent discovered the deceased couple in the basement of their $5.4 million home.
A Toronto Sun cited “sources close to the case” believe Honey may have been killed in another location of the house, then moved to the lower level of the home where their bodies were found.
Thomas Lauth, CEO of Lauth Investigations International, has 20 years of experience working alongside police agencies and prosecutors on unsolved murder cases. “In any homicide case, one must look at the circumstances from every viewpoint, even what may seem inconceivable,” Lauth said. “In addition to a thorough forensic examination of the crime scene, it becomes crucial to be able to analyze a crime scene for the unseen, and for anything that may create an “at risk” circumstance where someone is at higher risk to become a victim of crime be it their personal lives, business acquaintances, political activities, wealth, or all of the above.”
Political Lobbying
August 6, 2015, Barry and Honey hosted a private $1,500 per-head fundraiser for the Liberal Party at his home. The lavish event was attended by “movers and shakers” and dignitary Justin Trudeau, who became the Canadian prime minister two months later.
Reported in New Canadian Media “JDL protesters greet Trudeau at private fundraiser,” about 30 protesters organized by the Jewish Defense League of Canada, gathered outside the Sherman home to voice their displeasure of the reception given to the Liberal leader despite the Liberal party endorsing the nuclear deal with Iran.
“It is unprecedented to protest at the home of a Jewish leader,” acknowledged Meir Weinstein. If the Liberal party hadn’t backed an agreement deemed by the government of Israel to be dangerous, “we wouldn’t be here.” As Trudeau pulled up in his black van, protesters shouted, No Iran deal!” and the protest seemed to frighten attendees and community residents.
Justin Trudeau, Canada Prime Minister, friend of Barry Sherman
The Defense League was criticized for their protest and Weinstein eventually apologized for a “personal inconvenience” in a civil phone call to Sherman; however, the damage had been done.
A government watchdog group, Democracy Watch, filed a complaint against Sherman and Apotex, and in January 2017, an investigation was initiated by Canada’s Federal Lobby Commissioner to see if the fundraiser had violated government rules stating, “a lobbyist cannot lobby officials they assisted in getting elected.”
Sherman sued the Lobby Commissioner to shut down the investigation and called the investigation an “unanchored fishing expedition pursued in bad faith.”
Despite Sherman’s death the lobbying commission, Karen Shepherd, confirmed the investigation would proceed.
Could the Sherman’s be victims of a professional hit?
From all accounts, the couple was adored by family, friends and the community. Their relationship was solid and their life together peaceful and loving; however, everything needs to be considered when a murder occurs.
Barry had been sued by his cousins, the children of Lois Winter, who had helped him build his “pharma empire” in the early days. Kerry, Paul, Dana and Jeffrey Winter are four brothers who made allegations Sherman owed them 20 percent stake in Apotex based on sign contracts and verbal agreements signed when Sherman acquired their father’s company, Empire Companies, during the 1960s.
The case dragged on for nearly a decade, but a judge dismissed the claim against Sherman, in the months preceding their deaths.
The Sun article poses several questions that are certainly not out of the realm of possibility when one is worth over $4 billion and your professional life deals with the “cut-throat” business of pharmaceutical sales and even bioterrorism contracts.
As a pharmaceutical company, Sherman made his wealth by reverse engineering patented drugs from established drug companies. Sherman was also known as a “bulldog” who was not intimidated by others.
Motives? Maybe.
Former Toronto Police homicide detective, Tom Klatt of Klatt Investigations, has been brought on board to work in tandem with police and ensure “all out-of-the-box possibilities are looked at.” Klatt is a police veteran with more than 70 homicide investigations under his belt. Described as a consummate professional, very smart and a straight shooter.
Attorney Greenspan felt it necessary to hire a team of distinguished law enforcement officers to address the family’s concerns that no murder-suicide occurred as originally reported in the press.
The examination of Sherman’s death has now risen to the largest homicide investigations in Toronto history.
“Sometimes, it is necessary for a family to advocate for their loved ones,” Thomas Lauth says, reflecting upon his own experience working with police and prosecutors. “Hiring a team of investigators ensures everything that can be done is being done. It is necessary in the pursuit of justice.”
Jonathon Sherman cries as he speaks during a memorial service for his parents, Barry and Honey Sherman, as his sisters look on Thursday, December 21, 2017. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press)
At the Sherman home, sewers have been swept for possible evidence, vehicles were removed and surveillance within the home and neighborhood has been secured. Again, sources have said a second crime scene within the home has been carefully analyzed.
Speaking at the funeral, Jonathan Sherman says of his parents, “Our parents never left anyone behind.”
Still so many questions remain but one thing for sure is the couple died of ligature neck compressions. They were found sitting with legs out straight and sources describe them both wearing jackets that were around their arms and pulled down behind their backs.
“A private investigator is a second set of eyes and ears in a murder investigation and we must remain cognizant that whoever murdered Barry and Honey Sherman, remains on the street and a danger to others, not to mention the importance of justice for the family,” said Lauth. “I am convinced if anything was missed in the initial police search, Klatt with his investigative skills, will find it.”
Photo by Nicolas Halftermeyer (Own work), via Wikimedia Commons
Today’s private investigators seem to have it pretty easy compared to those of the past — cell phones, security cameras, and social media accounts are often used to obtain evidence for investigations. Gone are the days when private eyes had to flip through physical documents and phone directories, or find the location of someone with an actual map. And now, thanks to the advancements in drone technology, some investigators are opting to do away with physical surveillance.
A drone, or unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), is a remote controlled aircraft. Although they have been around for several years, flying personal UAVs is a relatively new hobby. These small crafts have been all over the media lately, even earning the endorsement of Martha Stewart. Like Stewart, many people use drones to take beautiful aerial photos. The market for drones is constantly expanding, and tech companies are keeping pace. Some drones can record a live feed, detect heat, or are small enough to fit in the palm of one’s hand. Others can fly four several hours at a time, scanning entire cities in a day.
Due to their discreet nature, private eyes have begun using drones to catch cheating spouses or dishonest employees. Instead of observing someone on foot for hours, investigators can use a drone to get a bird’s eye view of a suspect and collect video evidence. Using a drone is also safer for an investigator and are cheaper than chartering a plane or helicopter. A recent New York Post article featured a private investigator whose specialty is drones. According to the article, the investigator had to use a drone to record evidence of insurance fraud instead of physically surveying the suspect’s property for fear of being shot.
Because of their invasive capabilities, many are questioning the ethics of drone usage, including U.S. Senator Charles Schumer. Schumer recently called for federal regulations on drones, even going as far as proposing a ban on drone usage by private investigators. The idea of anyone being able to purchase a surveillance drone and using it to record whomever and wherever they want is fairly unnerving. The use of personal drones is uncharted territory, filled with flimsy guidelines and little regulation. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) prohibits the flying of UAVs for commercial use or payment. Drones are also not permitted to fly over heavily urban areas, and must alert control towers if they fly too close to an airport (FAA Website). Even so, investigators like the one featured in the Post article are still flying their drones.
Should we start expecting to see drones tailing us as we walk down the street? Probably not.
For now, most investigators are opting to stay on the ground and stick to their tried-and-true surveillance techniques. If evidence is gathered illegally, it may lose its value in court, and a private investigator could lose their credibility.
The day after Valentine’s Day of 2013, national news reports indicated a spike in new online dating memberships. Once somewhat frowned upon, looking for love online has become more socially acceptable within the last ten years.
Ann Friedman, a politics columnist for New York’s website, reported in her article Cupid’s Cursor, that one-third of America’s 90 million singles have used online dating services. While some find love, get married, living happily ever after, some have met with tragedy.
Robyn Gardner - Still Missing
Tragedies
Robyn Gardner, who I wrote about August 25, 2011 in an article Missing Persons Advocacy Network, remains missing after meeting Gary V. Giordano online. They met each other on an online dating site, and saw each other a couple times a month. Robyn considered Giordano a friend and agreed to take a vacation to Aruba where she vanished. Her family is still desperately searching for answers. After her disappearance, Giordano attempted to sue American Express for a $3.5 million insurance policy he took our on Robyn prior to their trip to Aruba.
Gary Giordano arrest photo. Courtesy of AP.
Robyn Gardner is just one of many people who have fell victim to an online predator. November 30, 2012, Michigan law enforcement announced the body of Leigh Swanson had been found in the woods, approximately 10 miles northwest of Midland. Her cause of death was a fatal gunshot.
Swanson, 45 years old, had met a man on an online dating site according to her mother, Beverly Kane. Kane said her daughter had expressed that she had a bad feeling prior to going on the date but made a call to her mother on November 18, 2012 from the man’s home indicating everything was fine and she would be home soon. She never arrived and no one knew whom she had gone on the date with.
Leigh Swanson
After Swanson was reported missing, authorities traced the call to a house in Edenville Township, and dispatched deputies to the location. When the deputies approached the front door, they heard a gunshot from inside and ordered anyone inside to come out with their hands over their heads. A man exited the home holding a cell phone in his hand. The man had been on the phone with 911 reporting his son had just shot himself. A search ensued, and police found Swanson’s body in a wooded area on a neighboring property.
While the positive stories about online dating far outnumber the bad, the harsh reality is that online dating can also put people at risk. Following are some tips that can help keep you safe. Remember you can never take too much precaution when it comes to your personal safety.
Protect Yourself
1. Always meet in a public place. Never invite the individual to pick you up from your home or accept an invitation to theirs.
2. Use the online dating site email system to communicate. Remember, the more information you give out the easier you are to find. Even providing a private email address gives someone enough information to find out who you are and where you live.
3. If you decide to meet personally, attempt to obtain as much verifiable information about the person prior to the meeting, such as name and phone number.
4. Make sure you let someone close to you know who you are meeting, where you are meeting, and as much information about the person as possible. You can even have your friend call you during the date. This gives your friends and family peace of mind but also sends a clear message to the individual you are with that others know where you are.
5. Do your homework. It is not unreasonable to conduct a background investigation on a potential mate and could lessen the danger to yourself and those you love.
6. No matter how comfortable you feel with the person, never leave your food or drink unattended.
While I am not discouraging anyone from online dating, I do encourage you to take every precaution necessary to protect yourself. We must not permit tragedies or the lives of victims to be in vain.
About the Author: Kym L. Pasqualini is founder of the Nation’s missing Children Organization in 1994 and the National Center for Missing Adults in 2000. She served as CEO until January 2010. Kym is recognized as an expert in the field of missing persons, and has spent 20 years working with families of missing persons and homicide victims, government officials, advocates, and national media. She is also a contributor to Lauth Investigations International and the Missing Persons Advocacy Network.
Unfortunately, family members and locals will never have the truth about what happened to Lucas. In the wake of the private investigator’s discovery, autopsy reports were found to be inconsistent with what Glass told both police and the PI, but before the People could build a case against her, Glass was found dead from an apparent suicide. However, were it not for the efforts of the private investigator, Lucas’s father may never have had answers in his son’s disappearance.
